The best budget vacuums under $150, tested and reviewed

On the hunt for a quality vacuum that can help get your home into shape without draining your savings? You're not alone. Thankfully, it's not just designer vacs that boast strong suction, smart design and reliable performance. The best budget vacuums prove great cleaning doesn't have to come with a sky-high price tag.

As one of Yahoo's resident home writers, I've spent the past two years hands-on testing more than 60 vacuums to find the ones that truly deliver for less. For this guide, I focused on models that cost less than $150, prioritizing stick vacuums and upright options that offer the most bang for your buck. Each contender was tested across multiple floor types and materials to assess real-world suction, then put through obstacle courses to see how well it could maneuver around furniture and tight spaces. I also relied heavily on their attachments to tackle corners, crevices and other hard-to-reach spots — because a budget vacuum still needs to earn its keep.

The best budget vacuums for 2026

Factors to consider when choosing a budget vacuum

✓ Size:When I mention height, I'm referring to how tall the vacuums are assembled; length and width reflect how long and, respectively, how wide the cleaner heads are. This is also referred to as a vacuum's cleaning path, or what's covered in one sweep. Taller vacuums generally mean longer tubes (or wands) and greater reach, which is particularly helpful for tall users or for tackling larger shallow areas, like beneath platform beds. While the added height may keep you farther from your target mess, extendable or flexible tubes improve maneuverability, and longer or dual brush rolls reduce the number of passes needed.

✓ Weight:Lightweight vacuums are easier to lift and steer and generally glide across hardwood floors with ease, but they often offer less grip on thick carpets. They tend to be paired with smaller dust cups and fewer tech components, like LCD screens, which can sometimes contribute to a top-heavy design. Swivel cleaner heads and dust cups improve maneuverability, especially with heavier models.

✓ Bin capacity:Larger cups house more dirt so you don't have to take as many trips to the trash can. Aside from capacity, look for dust cups that release forcefully with the help of a lever so you don't have to manually unclip the cup lids and reach your fingers in.

✓ Vacuum type:

• Stick vacuumsconsist of a cleaner head, a long tube or wand, which the dirt travels through, and a vacuum head upper (or "brain" that features power controls and any LCD screens). The upper also houses the dust cup and can typically be detached and used as a handheld vacuum with attachments. Cordless stick options allow for more freedom and flexibility when vacuuming, but require charging.

• Upright vacuumsconsist of a cleaner head, a dust cup, a hose and a wand. In this case, dirt travels to the dust cup via the hose and the dust cup sits above the cleaner head, with the wand behind it and handle up top. Detachable hoses (and wands) can be paired with attachment tools, but canisters usually remain in place. If you don't want to have to carry an entire vacuum up the stairs, for example, you may want a "lift-away"-style canister, which can be detached from the vacuum while cleaning. Also helpful: longer cords for greater reach, plus cord-rewind options so you don't have to wrap up the cord manually.

• Canister vacuums,also called cylinder or barrel vacuums, feature a body that sits on the floor, containing the motor and dust cup. The body trails behind the hose, which is attached to a hand-held wand and a cleaner head for floors or an attachment for upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.

✓ Filters:Vacuum filters trap pollutants and improve air quality, with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters considered the gold standard. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , HEPA filters "theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns," with larger or smaller particles "trapped with even higher efficiency." Follow instruction manuals for how and when to replace ⁠or clean filters for optimal results. Many, like Dyson vacuums , now use washable filters for cost efficiency.

✓ Wattage:A higher wattage often correlates to greater suction power. High-voltage batteries generally have a longer shelf life, or run time, so you can tackle more space or several vacuum jobs in one go without recharging.

✓ Brushes and attachments:Most vacuums come with a detangling-style brush roller (in many cases, customizable or auto-adjusting) that can be used for multiple floor types. Brush cleaner headlights offer more visibility in low lighting and beneath furniture, while mini roller attachments help tackle tighter spaces (such as vacuuming inside your car; they're also great for getting stubborn pet fur from couch interiors). Attachment tools aid in detailing and spot-treating things like cushions and curtains, whereas crevice tools are a must for navigating ceilings and wall corners.

✓ Docking and storing:Upright vacuums typically stand on their own, but are bulkier for storing. The bodies of canister vacuums are shallow enough for stashing at the bottom of a coat closet. Stick vacuums often need to be propped up, disassembled or mounted to a wall when not in use, but are typically the most ideal for transporting.

How we test vacuums

I set up several obstacle courses to test these vacuums against materials with varying shapes, textures and densities on different surfaces like carpet and hardwood. I also tested their respective attachments on upholstered furniture, curtains and hard-to-reach areas. Then we put the vacuums through their paces in real-life scenarios, prioritizing homes that needed a good cleaning and/or had pet inhabitants. The nitty-gritty:

• "Carpet course" test:I spaced out materials — faux fur, rice, Cheerios, kitty litter and sand — across a plush carpet to see if the vacuums managed to cut through the clutter.

• "Kitchen sink" test:I poured rice and Cheerios on a hardwood kitchen floor to gauge how well the vacuums could get a grip — especially against trims and in cabinet crevices.

• "Passenger pet" test:I asked family and friends to avoid vacuuming for a week, then used car mats to collect the fur their pet companions had shed and attempted to vacuum it up in pursuit of the best suction.

• "Vacs gone wild" test:I didn't stop there! I've clocked countless hours testing vacuums in different houses and settings to assess how they rise to different occasions.

Other budget vacuums we've tested

Kenmore Featherlight Lift-up : The Kenmore Featherlight zipped through my "kitchen sink" test. It was comparable to the Bissell CleanView in my "carpet course" and "passenger pet" tests, and I like how the dust cup lifts away to easily tackle stairs and other isolated areas. It doesn't come with as many attachments, doesn't have automatic cord rewind and the smaller brush cleaner head means more passes. But I'd consider it a good bet for someone with a cozier space or who prefers a lighter weight (in this case, 12.4 pounds).

Eureka PowerSpeed : This upright vacuum comes pretty much ready to go and is easily powered on and relaxed via foot pedals. It's lightweight (only 10 pounds) and the dust cup is massive (at 2.6 liters, it's the largest of this testing segment). It doesn't swivel quite like — and wasn't quite as effective as — the Bissell CleanView in the "passenger pet" test. Plus, you'll need to wind up the cord yourself.

Hoover WindTunnel Pro : The WindTunnel Pro doesn't come with as many accessory tools as the Bissell CleanView, but it offers slightly more dust cup capacity (1.29 liters) and proved comparable from a performance standpoint. It also has a cord rewind feature, plus headlights for low-light cleaning, making it a worthy alternative.

Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum : The "Elite," which weighs less than 6 pounds, is among the budget-friendly stick vacs to beat. An impressive 40 minutes of run time, two suction modes, a generous 1-liter dust cup, LED lights and a flexible tube for reaching shallow areas without bending earned it a place in my list of best stick vacuums . It navigated my "carpet course" and "kitchen sink" tests with ease and got close to edges. The Wyze is slightly lighter and cheaper, especially considering its bells and whistles, but the Elite is substantial for someone who could benefit from the added agility and bin capacity.

Homeika Cordless Stick Vacuum : This stick vacuum has two filters, brush cleaner headlights and an LCD screen that displays its battery life. It's lightweight (only 3 pounds when using the handheld version), has a retractable tube, and is ideal for vacation homes and college dorms. In my tests, Homeika traction was on par with, or just slightly below that of, the Kenmore Elite, with similar scores for hardwood floors. Though, Wyze offers more tech components and a longer run time.

Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum : At just under $90, the Bissell Zing is another affordable canister vacuum on my list and has the largest dust cup capacity (2 liters). The wheeled canister is swift and incredibly easy to empty. Alas, it doesn't have customizable settings or multiple brush cleaner heads like other canister vacuums I've tested — it also didn't fare as well on carpets and I didn't find the cleaner head or wand as flexible.

Budget vacuum FAQs

What is the average price for a vacuum?

You can typically expect to pay in the $100-$200 range for a budget-friendly vacuum, $200-$400 for a mid-range vacuum and upwards of $700 or higher for something more high-end, such as you'll find with Dyson. Prices can range depending on factors like power (or suction), battery life (if cordless), cup size, filter style and tech components (such as sophisticated LCD screens and air quality reads). Consider accessories that add value — whether included or affordably purchased separately — as well as warranties when shopping for a vacuum.

How long does a cheap vacuum last?

According to our research, cordless vacuums tend to have a rechargeable battery life of around 30-70 minutes, with more affordable options often falling in the 30-50 minute range and higher-end models between 40-70. As for how long cheap vacuums last as a whole, it's realistic to expect at least a few years out of your vacuum with thoughtful use and maintenance. We suggest opting for vacuums with cleanable, removable parts that can be easily maintained and replaced, if needed, as well as trial offers and warranties that allow you to get a feel for your vacuum before making a longer-term commitment. 

How often should I clean my vacuum?

To help keep your vacuum in tip-top shape, many brands, such as Dyson, advise cleaning washable filters at least once a month with regular use. We recommend consulting your vacuum instructions for machine-specific tips, including when to wash and/or replace filters and brush rollers. Look for dust cups that have levers for forcefully ejecting dirt into the trash can. And, because vacuums are often at the center of the action, plan to wipe yours down regularly to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that can emanate.

Budget vacuum specs comparison chart

Update, July 28, 2026: We confirmed current pricing and availability for all products and replaced the best cheap canister vacuum with a model from Eureka because our previous recommendation from Kenmore is no longer available. We also removed an out-of-stock Hoover budget vacuum from the list of others we tested.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.